Trueman getting ready for season start

Here we are now in a new year, with a new Betfred Super League season approaching and the #NewCasEra getting underway, it has allowed Trueman this pre-season to take on the challenge of returning to his best match fitness level.

But after not playing in competitive action since the Challenge Cup final over six months ago – how did he feel his return went?

“Good to get back, really good, it took me about ten or fifteen to get back into the swing of things and get my legs back under me, but it felt good when I got into it,” Trueman told castlefordtigers.com.

“I’m feeling good, pretty much 100% now and I should get another 40 minutes or so in our next pre-season game and then a few weeks to build in for the start of the new season – I should be 100%.”

A fully fit Jake Trueman on the field will be a sight to behold for the Fords faithful, Super League’s Young Player of the Year in 2018 has been selected for Great Britain tours as well as England Knights selection with such impressive form at a young age.

Trueman’s aim now would be to reach that next level and earn a first senior international appearance, but Jake insists his focus is on simply playing consistently for Tigers in this World Cup year.

“My main goal is just to play; I’ve had two years of disrupted rugby and I just want to get out there and get as many games as I can. Hopefully, good performances will come on the back of that.”

Since joining the Club, Trueman has only ever known Daryl Powell as the boss up until this pre-season, but how is he getting on with the new Head Coach?

“It’s been really good, Lee’s brought a lot of new things in, and I think you could see it out there on Sunday when we were trying some new stuff and some came off, some didn’t but we still have some adjusting to do but we have a few weeks to go before the start season.”

Eight new faces have been brought in for Castleford’s 2022 squad, and the Tigers’ #6 is looking forward to doing more on field work with his new left edge recruits.

“I’ve been training most of pre-season with Kenny (Edwards), he’s a good player, Mahe (Fonua) came on in the second half on the left edge. It’s good to have them boys out there, probably something a bit different than I’m used to, more powerful runners and trying to get the best out of them.”

Sunday’s match against the Knights also allowed Cas fans to see both Jake Trueman and Danny Richardson partnered up in the halves once again.

“I enjoy playing with Danny, I think he compliments my game as an organizing half, and it lets me play freely. I think we only played seven or eight games together last year, so we didn’t get much consistency but hopefully we can both stay fit and build a really good partnership.

Gareth O’Brien and Callum McLelland will also be fighting it out alongside Trueman and Richardson for the halfback positions in 2022. It’s means Lee Radford has four English halfbacks to choose from and Trueman believes it’s only a good thing they will need to compete for their spots.

“Hopefully we all stay fit, last two years have been tough, first year Danny was here it was just me and him and then I got injured so it’s good to have that competition for places with Callum when he’s back in the fold. It’s good signs.”

After playing against York, Trueman also pointed out the efforts of youngsters Ryan Morley and George Collins, two of the Tigers’ Academy/Reserves squad. Despite Trueman only being 22, he is already highly experienced after getting his shot at a young age and he believes that pre-season is an ideal time for young lads to get a shot.

“It’s a little bit different for me now, but friendlies are so important for younger players and I remember playing and trying to break through, trying to make a name and make an impact. I think our younger lads did that.”

A good number of the Fords faithful made the trip to York to cheer on the Tigers in the first game of the year, it has got the juices flowing for an exciting home opener on February 11th.

“It was a really good atmosphere, they always come in good numbers, all the side of the field was filled, and I think we have all bought into this new style, this new of Cas and it should be a good one."